Childminder in Salford

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY316779 Inspection date 18/03/2009 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her two children aged 14 and 16 in a semi detached property in Eccles, Salford. The lounge, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. Access is gained to the property at the front of the house on the ground floor level. The family have a dog, a hamster and two rabbits as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently seven children on roll. The childminder has established links with other early years settings which minded children attend and that also provide the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a safe and inclusive environment where children's welfare and learning are effectively promoted. Parents are provided with a wealth of information about the service provided and their children's daily activities. Effective systems are in place in relation to self-evaluation.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop planning and assessment by recording more information about what children can do when writing observations and by linking observations to the six areas of learning  practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the younger children.

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provision

The childminder’s home is well organised and gives the children many opportunities to become independent. All required documentation is in place. The childminder has developed a full range of policies and procedures and these work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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provision

The childminder is an enthusiastic childcare practitioner who strives to further improve the service she provides. She has completed a self-evaluation form and this gives good detail of her strengths and areas for development. Parents are involved in monitoring the service provided. The childminder has recently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developed a questionnaire and this has been completed by parents. Parents are happy with the service provided, levels of care and activities afforded. Written comments from parents are positive. For example, they comment that they have every confidence in the childminder and that their children are well cared for. The recommendation from the last inspection has been met. The childminder has updated polices and procedures to include the correct wording. Since the last inspection, the childminder has removed the pond in the garden to improve safety

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provision

outdoors, she has used the internet to research and improve her understanding of various topics and she has extended resources to further enhance children's play. Future plans are well targeted to bring about further improvement to the setting and outcomes for children. For example, the childminder plans to attend training to further develop her childcare practices.

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provision

The childminder ensures that the service she provides is fully inclusive and she makes parents and their children feel welcome. She works closely with parents to settle their children gradually to help them feel secure and she also works in close partnership with parents to meet children's additional needs. The childminder has developed a portfolio which includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the introduction meeting; helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding from an early stage. Parents are kept well informed about their children's achievements and progress. The childminder maintains children's development records and she also completes a summary of children's development on a regular basis and this is shown and discussed with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The environment is well organised and conducive to children's learning. Good use is made of space and the children are able to move around freely and use the large amount of space available to extend their play. The children develop good self help skills as they choose toys, help to tidy away toys and feed themselves and have a drink at snack time.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a wide range of interesting activities to help the children make progress across all areas of their learning and development. The children also benefit from activities outside the home to widen their experiences and to help them develop their awareness of the wider community. Planning and assessment are still in the early stages of development. Written observations of the children at play provide sufficient information about what the children can do, however, observations are not linked to the six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder understands that every child is unique. She has a good understanding of children's individual needs and she meets these needs well. The childminder shares warm relationships with the children and she supports them well in their play and learning. The children feel valued and are content and secure in her care. The childminder nurtures children's attempts to communicate. She interacts with the children at every opportunity to introduce concepts, such as simple number, shape, colour and animals and the sounds they make, to extend children's language. The children develop an awareness of number as they count This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the steps with the childminder as they go into the garden.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The youngest children explore how things work and investigate toys by handling them. They lift flaps and press buttons and then enjoy listening to music and watching moving pictures. The children enjoy being creative and are able to express their own thoughts and ideas as they make collage pictures with a wide range of creative materials. They develop hand eye co-ordination and their fine manipulative skills as they use glue sticks and pick up different sized pieces of creative media. The childminder talks to the children about their pictures and she admires their creations. The children enjoy play with a wide range of imaginative play resources and are able to re-enact their own experiences to help them develop an understanding of the world in which they live. The children have lots of opportunities to enjoy physical exercise outdoors in the fresh air. Photographic documentation shows the children playing in garden and visiting the park. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

have fun playing in the snow, taking the childminder's dog for a walk and feeding the ducks. All these activities contribute to the children's good health and physical development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder acts as a positive role model. She has good listening skills and children are able to share their feelings in a safe environment. The childminder is adept in managing children's behaviour. She gently encourages the younger children to share and take turns and uses distraction techniques well to divert children's attention to prevent minor altercations. Consequently, the children develop an awareness of what is expected of them from an early age. The children receive lots of praise and appreciation for their efforts and achievements and this helps them to feel valued and develops their confidence and self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The premises are clean and well maintained and the childminder actively promotes good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross-infection. There is a comprehensive risk assessment in place and this eliminates risks to children. The childminder has practised the emergency evacuation procedure with older children but not with the youngest children. The childminder supervises the children well enabling them to play safely and independently. She encourages their understanding in keeping themselves safe through daily routines and play activities. For example, the children learn about the Green Cross Code when they are out on trips and they learn about people who help us through role play and dressing up. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures and this ensures that children's welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

providing a menu that is well balanced and nutritious. As a result, the children are well nourished and develop an awareness of healthy eating. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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